Customer Reviews

The Essential Hitler: Speeches and Commentary

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For those who do not study in this field, Max Domarus is the author of the definitive collection of Hitler's speeches in both English and German. This book is called Hitler: Speeches and Proclamations, 1932-1945--The Chronicle of a Dictatorship (4 Volume Set) My review is on its page. I recommend the German edition if you speak German.

This much shorter work is a collection of Hitler quotes on various subjects. It's definitely worth reading and far, far less expensive than Domarus's main work. For those who wish to learn more on the subject of Nazi documentary history and other forms of totalitarianism check the lists on my Amazon profile.

Half this book can be thrown away. It consists of hate-engorged commentary, all too prevalent in this genre.

Naturally, people are entitled to their opinions, but there is something almost pathological about Domarus's diatribes. One suspects the author lived quite comfortably in the Third Reich and then found it highly expedient (and profitable) in the post war period to cash-in on the new `dispensation'.

Almost ironically, in the pages of this anthology, Hitler identifies this type of (political) character: "First of all, there are the political birds of passage who alight wherever the crops are being harvested in summer. Spineless, weak characters - yet opportunists who pounce on every successful movement, and by a over loud clamour and more than perfect behavior ...... They are dangerous because they attempt to satisfy their purely personal and egotistical interests behind the mask ......"

Nonetheless, the other 400 odd pages do contain excerpts of Hitler's speeches, which in spite of the careful editing and the concerted demonizing, still cast a tantalising glimpse into the man's thinking, his values and his dreams.

Neither its size at 860+ pages or its handsome and professional binding (amply reflected in the price) can compensate for the hectoring, and ultimately, unilluminating and unnecessary commentary.

The modern world still needs a cooler and more objective treatment of this subject.